Imagine a scenario Thursday night in which, as the Rams are on the clock at No. 26 in the first round of the NFL draft, only two quarterbacks have been selected.
The top two tight ends are off the board. The only interior linebackers with first-round grades are gone. So are the top three receivers, the best cornerbacks and the cream of the offensive-line crop.
But still on the board is the draft’s third quarterback, Ole Miss’ Jaxson Dart. And the Cleveland Browns still haven’t taken a QB. Neither have the New York Giants, nor the New Orleans Saints.
This was the scenario that presented itself as the Southern California News Group took its third and final stab at a seven-round Rams mock draft ahead of this week’s draft. And while you could make a compelling case for the Rams to stay at No. 26 and select Dart themselves – an heir to Matthew Stafford who needs some time to develop – you can also make a strong case for the Rams to move back out of the first round.
Cleveland has the 33rd overall pick, the Giants No. 34. The Saints aren’t far behind at No. 40. All three franchises need to find a quarterback to develop, because Joe Flacco, Russell Wilson and Derek Carr – who might miss the 2025 season with a shoulder injury – aren’t anybody’s long-term solutions at the sport’s most important position.
If this scenario were to unfold, the smart money would be on the Rams moving down. They’ve never been afraid to move out of the first round. Without a second-round pick in this year’s draft, they could use the additional draft capital. General manager Les Snead hinted at the possibility when speaking with reporters during the league meetings earlier this month.
What could they gain in return? At least a Day 2 pick. If Snead can get a bidding war going, perhaps more. Using the Pro Football Focus draft simulator, we sent No. 26 to Cleveland for another late third-round pick – No. 94, to be exact – and a future fifth-rounder for Snead to play with in 2026.
Maybe you stay and take Dart, or you fortify the offensive line with a prospect like Oregon’s Josh Conerly Jr. But the Rams can afford to move back a couple of spots in a draft with few first-round grades and add more depth to their roster in the process. And that might be too good for Snead to pass up.
Round 2 (No. 33 overall)
The pick: Oregon offensive tackle Josh Conerly Jr.
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 315 pounds
Analysis: After all that, the Rams still get a promising offensive-line prospect. Conerly has good length and fundamentals, but he needs to develop more strength for the NFL game, particularly to be a part of the Rams’ duo blocking scheme. But with Rob Havenstein back for 2025, Conerly can focus on his development and potentially succeed the veteran in 2026.
Also considered: North Dakota State OT Grey Zabel, Ole Miss CB Trey Amos, Iowa State WR Jayden Higgins
Round 3 (No. 90 overall)
The pick: Bowling Green tight end Harold Fannin Jr.
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 230 pounds
Analysis: The Rams need additional weapons in the passing game to complement the new duo of Puka Nacua and Davante Adams. Fannin, who caught 117 passes for 1,555 yards and 10 touchdowns as a junior, would do just that. He’s known for getting open quickly and picking up yards after the catch. He needs to work on run blocking, which would likely mean playing second fiddle to Tyler Higbee for much of the season. But he would bring a dynamic element to passing downs and 12-personnel sets.
Also considered: TCU WR Savion Williams, Oregon LB Jeffrey Bassa, Texas TE Gunnar Helm
Round 3 (No. 94 overall)
The pick: Oregon linebacker Jeffrey Bassa
Measurables: 6-foot-2, 235 pounds
Analysis: With the extra pick from Cleveland, the Rams get the coverage linebacker they need to complement run stoppers Omar Speights and Nate Landman. Bassa is a converted safety, so he has more training in coverage than your typical linebacker. He needs to add some weight and strength, but he could fill an immediate need for the Rams in 2025.
Also considered: Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong, TCU WR Savion Williams, Cal CB Nohl Williams
Round 3 (No. 101 overall)
The pick: Cal cornerback Nohl Williams
Measurables: 6-foot-1, 200 pounds
Analysis: With three of their four biggest needs already addressed – tackle depth, linebacker and pass catcher – the Rams can turn to their final area of concern with their final pick of Day 2. Williams is a big, physical corner who thrives in man and press coverages.
Also considered: Virginia Tech CB Dorian Strong, Colorado State WR Tory Horton, Ohio State QB Will Howard
Round 4 (No. 127 overall)
The pick: Florida defensive tackle Cam’Ron Jackson
Measurables: 6-foot-6, 342 pounds
Analysis: A sixth-round pick in the last time we did this exercise, Jackson has risen on analyst draft boards lately, going with the first pick in the fourth round of Dane Brugler’s seven-round mock draft for The Athletic. The Rams need some size on the interior of the defense after Bobby Brown’s departure, and Jackson brings the muscle as a runner stopper.
Also considered: Washington State WR Kyle Williams, Miami OT Jalen Rivers, Notre Dame LB Jack Kiser
Round 6 (No. 190 overall)
The pick: Arkansas wide receiver Andrew Armstrong
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 202 pounds
Analysis: The Rams need to a receiver, so they address it immediately with the first of their four sixth-round picks. Armstrong caught 78 passes for 1,140 yards as a redshirt senior. He doesn’t have the speed to create much separation, but his size allows him to win contested catches.
Also considered: Miami WR Samuel Brown, Pitt WR Konata Mumpfield, Auburn WR KeAndre Lambert-Smith
Round 6 (No. 195 overall)
The pick: USC offensive lineman Jonah Monheim
Measurables: 6-foot-4, 311 pounds
Analysis: The Rams could still use a little depth on the offensive line, and get it here with Monheim. The senior started at tackle, guard and center at USC, so he could fill the Joe Noteboom, utility-man role for the Rams.
Also considered: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke, Maryland WR Kaden Prather, Colorado WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
Round 6 (No. 201 overall)
The pick: Indiana QB Kurtis Rourke
Measurables: 6-foot-5, 223 pounds
Analysis: Don’t you think the Rams love the story of a quarterback playing his senior season on a partially torn ACL and leading his team to the College Football Playoff anyway? Without any real needs, the Rams can take a shot on a late-round quarterback and hope that, with a little work behind Stafford and Jimmy Garoppolo, he can turn into a diamond in the rough. They already know he has the toughness necessary for that type of challenge.
Also considered: Maryland WR Kaden Prather, Colorado WR Jimmy Horn Jr.
Round 6 (No. 202 overall)
The pick: Maryland wide receiver Kaden Prather
Measurables: 6-foot-3, 210 pounds
Analysis: The Rams take another shot at a big-bodied X receiver to round out their roster. Prather is known as a good route runner, and the Rams bet that his lack of production in college was a lack of imagination on Maryland’s part.